Our team

Aboriginal Health Program Manager
Renee Owen
Ph: 4215 2126
Email: renee.owen@barwonhealth.org.au
9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday

The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers offer support to First Nations people on their journey through Barwon Health. Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers can help people understand and respect the needs of First Nations people to ensure a culturally appropriate experience at Barwon Health.

AHLOs are available to all First Nations people accessing Barwon Health services to:

• Provide the client with cultural and social support
• Attend appointments or medical reviews and assist patients to understand medical information and services
• Advocate for clients and ensure medical and nursing staff understand the client’s cultural needs
• Provide support to the client’s family
• Connect the client with other services in the community
• Explore different care options available to the client
• Support discharge planning and processes

Renee Howell
Renee an Arrernte woman from Central Australia is well known and well-respected within the local Aboriginal community. Renee has extensive experience in Aboriginal Child Protection and women’s and children’s health and holds a Diploma of Community Services.

Ph: 4215 0768
Mobile: 0435 181 213
Email: renee.howell@barwonhealth.org.au
8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday

The Aboriginal Health Policy and Projects Team work to develop programs, projects, services and policies that aim to improve First Nations Health and wellbeing. The officers are responsible for co-ordinating face to face Cultural Training throughout the organisation, and for the facilitation of Cultural events and Cultural education opportunities. The team work closely with clinical teams such as Audiology, Dermatology, Maternity Services and Ophthalmology for the enhancement of Aboriginal access to clinics. Current Projects include:

• ‘Asking the Question’ Resource Kit Project
• Geelong Region Aboriginal Eye Health Advisory Group
• Geelong Region Aboriginal Ear Health Advisory Group
• Byerrngitj Events Co-ordination

Libby Lesock
Libby has 20 years’ experience working with First Nations communities in the Barwon South West region and is highly regarded in community. With a Master’s degree in Social Work Libby holds particular expertise in Indigenous Family Violence and Aboriginal Health, Education and Family Support.

Ph: 4215 0765
Email: libby.lesock@barwonhealth.org.au
8.00am – 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Adam Muir
Adam is employed in the jointly funded position between Barwon Health and the Western Victoria Primary Health Network, fulfilling a number of initiatives with the Integrated Team Care Program and supporting the primary health care sector through data analysis and Information systems. Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology) and has 20 years’ experience working with First Nations people from all over Australia.

Ph: 4215 2123
Email: adam.muir@barwonhealth.org.au
9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays.

The Koorie Mental Health Liaison Officer (KMHLO) is able to provide culturally appropriate support from triage to discharge for inpatients experiencing mental health issues and patients accessing Emergency Department. The KMHLO is able to provide advocacy and support during business hours to Aboriginal patients and their families and cultural advice and support to Barwon Health staff and clinicians within the Acute Health setting.

The KMHLO is available to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people accessing Barwon Health services to:

• Provide culturally sensitive support alongside medical staff,
• Engage other social and emotional supports for patients during admission,
• Develop cultural care plans with inpatients, and
• Connect patients with appropriate services in the community prior to discharge.

Phil King
Phil King is a Wemba Wemba, Wergaia, Dhudhuroa, and Nyeri Nyeri man that was raised within the Geelong Aboriginal community Through childhood and early adolescences, he began representing and educating others on Aboriginal culture with his work in Jebe-Weng Aboriginal dance group as an dancer, mentor and a facilitator of historical culture programs. He initially pursued his interest in mental health by studying psychology at Deakin University, then worked as an Aboriginal Mental Health Worker at Wathaurong. A committed advocate, Phil has also volunteered as a Healing Team support at the 2018 National/ International Suicide Conference, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) (Trauma Informed) Co-Facilitator with the Australian DBT Institute, and as a telephone crisis responder with Lifeline. He is passionate about the wellbeing in the continuation of Aboriginal community and culture, honouring the opportunity and guidance granted by his elders, ancestors and community.

Ph: 4215 2127
Mobile – 0466 378 409
Email: phillip.king@barwonhealth.org.au
8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday